Own goal in injury time lifts Iran over Morocco at World Cup

Morocco's chances in the game will be designed on stopping a goal threat from Iran.

As was expected, defensive-minded Iran sat in for most of the match awaiting opportunities to counterattack, while the high-octane Moroccan side played a positive match.

They enjoyed more possession and began in particularly aggressive fashion, taking the game to their opponents and overloading their right flank as they targeted Hajsafi.

The other match of the Group B will be played between Portugal and Spain at Fisht Stadium in Sochi at 1800GMT.

"Our strategy was, from the first minute, to create a mental collapse in the Moroccan players, we try to do that by creating frustration and block all the playmakers and the players who can create something".

Iran players lift coach Carlos Queiroz as they celebrate after the match on Friday.

"I learned a lesson in my life that superman is only in cartoons".

Iran's preparations have been disrupted by USA sanctions against the country, with American sportswear giant Nike refusing to supply equipment to the team and both Greece and Kosovo cancelling friendly matches against them last month.

Eight years after they became the most reviled musical instruments ever to be heard at an organized sporting event, the infamous and unmistakable sound of the vuvuzela has, once again, made a comeback at the Russian Federation 2018 World Cup.

Both nations impressed in qualifying with Morocco only conceding one goal in their eight games, while Iran only let in five goals in their 18 qualifying matches. However, they have never reached the knockout stages, winning only one of their 12 games (D3 L8) - against U.S. on 21 June 1998 (2-1). Morocco started well but then faded.

Iran would likely secure a first ever place in the knockout stage at a World Cup by beating Spain on Wednesday, though Queiroz is expected to play for a draw in Kazan.

Morocco have the quality and grit to win this one fair and transparent.

The Group B match in Saint Petersburg had been heading for a goalless draw until Bouhaddouz's unfortunate intervention as he tried to clear Ehsan Haji Safi's cross but only directed it past his own goalkeeper. And Iran made the most of it.

The Netherlands may have failed to qualify for the World Cup, but they will not be without representation. We know we have a very strong group.

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